News

Romano injured his shoulder playing against the Chiefs in their Investec Super Rugby semi-final, but it was not minor, with rest and recuperation healing him for his All Blacks campaign during The Investec Rugby Championship.

There is hope that the physical 26-year-old can take the mantle of the enforcer in the second row, filled with aplomb by former All Black Brad Thorn, and he noted after his first test against the Wallabies how mistakes could upset a team’s game.

“If you do any small thing wrong it gets amplified into a bigger situation,” he said.

“If you don't place the ball correctly you can be liable to getting the ball turned over.”

Romano was part of an improved All Blacks lineout at Eden Park that not only retained more throws, but managed to use cleaner possession once the jumpers had cleared the ball to the backline.

In Sydney the All Blacks won 14 lineouts, but according to coach Steve Hansen only six were effectively used, but at Eden Park 12 of 14 throws were won, despite some jitters at one point where the Wallabies managed to disrupt the lineout in the second quarter of the match.

The All Blacks squad has broken up, with ten players released to ITM Cup sides, while Romano will be checked to ensure his injury doesn’t worsen.

“It (Romano’s injury) hasn't surfaced yet as something that could be serious,” Hansen said.

“But we have to wait and see how it comes off over the next couple of days so it'll either go away or it'll hang around."

In positive news the All Blacks most capped prop in Tony Woodcock is expected to play against Argentina in Wellington in a fortnight.